Mary Sylvia (Vanoni) Bernardi

Mary Sylvia (Vanoni) Bernardi, age 94, of Lake Forest, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her home, on a Sunday morning, April 12, 2026.  Mary was born at Tavernaro, in Sant’Andreapelago, province of Modena, Italy, on February 1, 1932.  In 1939, she and her mother immigrated to the United States from Italy on the SS Rex, the second-to-last ship to leave Italy before the outbreak of World War II, arriving at Ellis Island.  Mary and her mother joined her father in Highwood, Illinois, where she met him for the first time, at age seven.

She attended St. James School in Highwood, Illinois, and graduated from Highland Park High School, Class of 1950.  Upon her graduation from high school, Mary worked for a number of years as a secretary until the time of her marriage in 1956.  During this time, she enjoyed being independent and travelling in the United States with her lifelong friends.

On April 28, 1956, an unrelentingly rainy day, she married the love of her life, Edward Piacentini Bernardi, at St. James Church in Highwood.  The couple often said over the years, “Rain on Your Wedding Day Brings Good Luck,” as evidenced by the fact that Mary died 22 days after her beloved Eddie’s passing and 16 days before their 70th wedding anniversary.  During the early years of their marriage, the couple lived in Northbrook, Illinois, before moving to Highland Park.  In 1963, the couple and their young family moved to Lake Bluff, Illinois, into a new home they had built.  There, among other young mothers, Mary made lifelong friends.  The family moved to Lake Forest in 1971, where she remained a resident for the rest of her life.  She was an active parishioner at the Church of St. Mary, and participated in many community activities.   She cherished her home, and with a cup of hot coffee, she loved looking out her kitchen window, appreciating the peace and quiet and  natural beauty of the open fields and woods surrounding their home, with the exception of the snakes brought to her by her dog, Chauncey.

Mary had great curiosity about the world and continuously learned from her travels in the U.S. and abroad.  Along with her husband, family, and friends, she explored the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica.  Mary returned often to Italy to visit her many cousins, spending cherished hours at their tables or in their gardens.  She nurtured and treasured these relationships.

Mary dove deep into any interest she pursued, including bridge, computers, needlework, and the Italian language.  Athletic and competitive, she made many friends playing tennis, golf, and curling at Exmoor Country Club.  She developed a love of photography, taking pictures of the places on her travels.  As a family, we often enjoyed her slide shows, notwithstanding the frequent projector jams.  Despite her outwardly reserved demeanor, Mary was the first to volunteer to go on rollercoasters, tilt-a-whirls, to ride on helicopters above canyons, waterfalls, glaciers and volcanoes, as well as volunteering to parasail with her grandchildren.  An excellent dancer, she never said no to a waltz.

Mary had exceptional culinary skills, providing exquisite meals for family and friends; among her specialties were veal cutlets, tortellini in brodo, and pasta bolognese.  For many years, she donated her time and culinary expertise, offering her renowned polenta and chicken cacciatore dinner as an auction item for philanthropists who eagerly bid for a chance to dine at her table.

Mary was a strong proponent of education, beginning with her own children, and continuing with her grandchildren, taking great pride in their academic achievements.

In 1985, Mary and Ed established a winter home in Naples, Florida. There, she had an active social life, including playing golf at Audubon Country Club, volunteering at their parish church, and socializing with new friends at the Naples Italian American Club. Married for almost seventy years, Mary was the rock and equal partner in any and all of Ed’s professional successes.  Ed always said he would not have realized his business achievements without Mary.

Mary will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, beloved Nonni, dear great- grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and loyal friend, supporting and strengthening all those who knew her.

Beloved wife to the late Edward Piacentini Bernardi.  Loving mother to Adria Bernardi (Jeffrey Stovall) of Nashville, TN; Ronald (Elizabeth) Bernardi of Lake Forest, IL; Michelle (John) Landis of Lake Forest, IL; and Jennifer Bernardi (Alan Platt) of Chicago, IL.  Cherished Nonni to Matthew (Kristi) Bernardi, Thomas (Catherine) Bernardi, Luke Bernardi, Jacob Stovall (Melissa), Grace Landis, Isaac Stovall, Peter Landis, Livia Platt, and Russell Platt.  Dear great-grandmother to Tess Bernardi, Elle Bernardi, Grace Bernardi, Anna Bernardi, Claire Bernardi and Nicolette Bernardi.  Beloved sister to Linda Lamberti and Lillian Farioli; sister-in-law to the late Luciano Lamberti and  Corrado Farioli.  Predeceased by her loving parents, Antonio (Tonino) Vanoni and Massima (Santi) Vanoni, and by her beloved Zia, Zelinda Morelli.

The family would like to thank Mary’s devoted caretakers: Shantella McBryde, Bri Pritchatt, Daylin Alburo, and Rica Sorromero.  The family is particularly grateful to Krystyna Ciszynski and Emilia Napiorkowska, who lovingly tended to Mary and cared for Mary’s and Ed’s home.  We are grateful to the VITAS Healthcare staff and her doctors for her excellent care.  We’d also like to thank caretakers, Chris Bengua, Dion Capito, and Jay Gahum, for supporting Mary.  And lastly, we’d like to thank Miss Mary’s special four-year-old friend, Zion, who made her smile with every visit and made sure she colored within the lines.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation to A Safe Place of Lake County or to Lake Forest Open Lands.

On Monday, May 4, 2026, a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 928 W. Everett Road in Lake Forest. Rev. Hernan Cuevas, celebrant. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 A.M. until 10:30 A.M.  Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, 1920 Buckley Road in Libertyville, Illinois

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